PROJECT Conversion of the Baptist Church Annex

LOCATION  Glen Echo, Maryland, US

PROJECT COMPLETION DATE  4/30/2014

ARCHITECT Broadhurst Architects, Inc.

ASSOCIATED ARCHITECT  

OWNER/CLIENT  Aaron and Angela Hirsch

CONTRACTOR / CONSTRUCTION MANAGER  McFarland Woods, Inc.

PHOTOGRAPHER  Anice Hoachlander, Hoachlander Davis Photography

ARCHITECTURAL DESIGN TEAM  Jeffery Broadhurst, AIA, Hisao Yatsuhashi, AIA

SUMMARY DESCRIPTION OF PROJECT

This small frame building was constructed in the first half of the 20th century to serve as a church in the small town of Glen Echo, Maryland. The Baptist Church Annex, as it was later called, fell into disrepair in the early 21st century when it was no longer used for worship or other church functions. The current owners purchased the property in 2013 with the intentions of making it their primary residence. Given the history of the town's development and the quirky manner in which the Annex occupied its small site, it was readily apparent that the existing building and its footprint needed to be preserved. Building a new structure that followed current zoning restrictions was not an option, for that would have reduced the footprint by half. More importantly, despite the building's previous state of disrepair, it maintained a simple and charming character that complemented the surrounding community. Therefore the new owners began the process of converting the Annex into their home. The renovation work included repairing and restoring the wood frame, installing structural insulated panels over new trusses that mimicked the original trusses, installing new windows, doors, and exterior siding. The nave of the Annex was transformed into the main living, dining and kitchen spaces. The church offices on the balance of the first floor became the entry foyer, home office and family room. The lower level of the building with its oppressively low ceiling height originally served as Sunday school classrooms and a kitchen. That area was excavated, underpinned and improved with an abundance of natural light to create four bedrooms with bathrooms, laundry room and storage spaces.

MEDIA FOR DOWNLOAD
Project PDF

IMAGE CAPTIONS & CREDITS

IMAGE 1  Annex_thumbnail.jpg, The restored Annex sits on a corner in a densely settled neighborhood in Glen Echo, ©2014 Anice Hoachlander

IMAGE 2  Annex_high res ext.jpg, The restored Annex sits on a corner in a densely settled neighborhood in Glen Echo, ©2014 Anice Hoachlander

IMAGE 3  Annex_high res int.jpg, View of the Great Room from the Kitchen, ©2014 Anice Hoachlander

IMAGE 4  Annex_low res ext.jpg, The updated cupola and side entry roof were inspired by the original building details, ©2014 Anice Hoachlander

IMAGE 5  Annex_low res int 1.jpg, View of Kitchen from the Great Room, ©2014 Anice Hoachlander

IMAGE 6  Annex_low res int 2.jpg, A skylight well provides additional natural light to the centralized kitchen, ©2014 Anice Hoachlander

IMAGE 7  Annex_low res int 3.jpg, Natural light from the cupola spills down onto a loft that overlooks the Foyer, ©2014 Anice Hoachlander

IMAGE 8  Annex_low res int 4.jpg, The former pastor’s office has been converted into a new home office, ©2014 Anice Hoachlander